New policy for holistic health care system: President

The government Monday announced it will formulate a new health policy to achieve the objective of holistic health care system that is universally accessible, affordable and effective.

“Our country needs a holistic health care system that is universally accessible, affordable and effective. To achieve this objective, my government will formulate a New Health Policy and roll out a National Health Assurance Mission,” President Pranab Mukherjee said addressing the joint sitting of both houses of parliament.

He added that the mission will promote naturopathy and AYUSH (Ayurveda, Yoga, Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathy).

The president said that to address the shortfall of health care professionals, health education and training will be transformed.

India has a shortage around 6.4 million allied health professionals, according to a study.

Mukherjee also said, “AIIMS (All India Institute of Medical Sciences) like institutes will be established in every state in a phased manner.”

At the moment, there are eight AIIMS-like institutes in the country.

Recognised in Southeast Asia as a centre of excellence in the field of medical sciences, education and research, the premier All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) has inspired the government to set up similar super-speciality institutes in other states.

With the aim to provide similar kind of multi-speciality facilities at affordable rates in other states, the Congress-led UPA government in 2006 approved the setting up of six AIIMS like institutions.

But the idea was first proposed in 2003 by the then Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government. It was, however, cleared in 2006 by then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

The six institutes are in Patna (Bihar), Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh), Bhubaneswar (Orissa), Jodhpur (Rajasthan), Raipur (Chhattisgarh) and Rishikesh (Uttarakhand).

These institutes will also provide undergraduate medical education for 100 students a year.

In 2009, the government approved two more such institutes, taking the final number to eight. The two AIIMS-like institutes are being set up at Raiganj (West Bengal’s North Dinajpur district) and Rae Bareli (Uttar Pradesh). Rae Bareli is the Lok Sabha constituency of Congress chief Sonia Gandhi.

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Health focused fiscal policy for tobacco control is need of the hour: PHFI study

The Public Health Foundation of India (PHFI) organised a consultation on National and State Fiscal Policies for Tobacco Control. Key findings from a PHFI study on “An Empirical Study of India’s Fiscal Policies against Tobacco: A State Level Analysis” was released by Union Secretary Health and Family Welfare Sh. Luv Verma.

The objective of the study, given the complexity of tax structure for different tobacco products was to understand the tax policy measures and their implications on tobacco consumption in the country. The study was funded by International Development Research Centre (IDRC).

Speaking on the findings of the study, Dr Sakthivel Selvaraj Senior Public Health Specialist, Economics & Financing, PHFI said, “The current tax rates of tobacco products are not only low but the tax structure of tobacco products are complex and tax governance poor. As a result, tobacco taxes and therefore prices have not deterred tobacco consumption. Bidi, which is largely consumed at the population level, is least taxed. Significant potential exists in India to hike taxes rates in India to reduce tobacco consumption and mop up revenue to the government which is presently fiscally-challenged.”

The specific objectives of the study were:
- To highlight the need for a health-focused fiscal policy for tobacco;
- To examine the current tax structure on all tobacco products (smoking and smokeless) and their contribution to revenue generation;
- To examine the changing shares of household expenditure on different tobacco products over the years;
- To provide likely scenarios of revenue generation from an increase in tax on tobacco products and its distributional effects across populations in Indian states[1]; and,
- To disseminate evidence generated from this exercise for stronger and more effective and health focused fiscal policies at all levels of government in India.

Key Findings:- A 10% increase in cigarette prices will lead to almost 3% decrease in consumption and 7% increase in government revenues
- A 10% increase in bidi prices will lead to almost 5% decrease in consumption and 4% increase in government revenues
- Cigarette excise can be increased by 370% of present levels, leading to a 54% decline in consumption and 115% increase in revenue
- Bidi excise can be increased by 100% of present levels, leading to a 40% decline in consumption and 22% increase in revenue
- In the states of West Bengal, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra, price elasticity for bidi is extremely high with a 10% increase in taxes resulting in a 6-10% decline in consumption
- In India, so far, taxes have not been used effectively to reduce tobacco consumption at the population level.

Dr Monika Arora, Director Health Promotion PHFI said, “According to the Global Burden of Disease Study 2010, tobacco use is the second largest risk factor for death today. The enormous burden of tobacco use in India is well documented with nearly one million Indians dying each year. With India adopting a national target of 30% relative reduction of tobacco use by 2025, it is paramount that India’s response to mitigate the tobacco problem is strengthened. The WHO recommended MPOWER strategies must be implemented strategically, with international best buys like raising tobacco taxes being adopted in national fiscal policies.”

The study used data from the Global Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS) India, 2009-10 to study tobacco consumption patterns. Household consumption expenditure data on tobacco were obtained from the National Sample Survey Organization (NSSO) Consumer Expenditure Surveys (CES) from 1999-00 to 2011-12. A theoretical model developed by Deaton (1989, 1997) was followed to estimate the own and cross price elasticity of tobacco products.

India faces the challenge of double burden of communicable and non-communicable diseases, leading to enormous loss to both society and economy. This is exacerbated by the high tobacco use. More than one-third of Indian adults (34.6 percent, an estimated 275 million persons) consume tobacco products.[4] Among the economic measures outlined in the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC), tobacco taxation is the most cost effective intervention to reduce tobacco consumption. The FCTC stipulates that all tobacco products be taxed at a tax incidence of 75%.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) theme for this years’ World No Tobacco Day is ‘Raise Tobacco Taxes’.

The Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare, Dr. Harsh Vardhan supported for raising taxes on tobacco products during an event organized by PHFI in collaboration with Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and WHO to commemorate World No Tobacco Day 2014 last week.

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Minimal Approach makes Joint Replacement almost painless

Despite struggling with diseased joints and restricted motion, many people often feel intimidated by the idea of a joint replacement surgery because they believe it will have painful after-effects and will not be sustainable. This apprehension, however, is unfounded.

With the advent of minimally invasive joint replacement procedures, it is possible for doctors to conduct surgical intervention through just one or two small incisions. This not only makes the post operative time much less painful for patients but also ensures a faster rehabilitation as compared to traditional joint replacement surgery to replace a diseased or a damaged joint.

As compared to traditional joint replacement surgery, the minimally invasive approach ensures a better long-term stability of the joint because the muscles and tendons around the joint are not damaged during this surgery.

In a hip replacement surgery, a doctor removes the head of the thighbone and then places artificial implants to replace the faulty ball and socket of the hip that have been causing problems and restricting movement. The artificial implants will relieve the patient of the constant pain that he or she lives with and also improve mobility remarkably. You will be able to lead a much normal life, walk, climb stairs, stand up from a chair without much problem and have much better quality of life

“In a minimally invasive hip replacement procedure, a smaller incision 3-6 inches, as compared to 10 inches in the traditional method is made and special instruments are used to insert an artificial implant. This results in less damage to the muscle and tissue surrounding the area, lesser blood loss and a faster return to normal life. The most important advantage of this procedure is that the major muscles in the hip and thigh area that give support to the joint are not cut. This not only speeds up recovery but also reduces the risk of dislocation of the replaced joint as the muscles around it are strong and functioning” saysDr.Rajeev K Sharma,Orthopedic & Joint Replacement Surgeon,Indraprastha Apollo Hospita,New Delhi

Most patients are able to walk a day after the surgery and put their weight on the artificial implant. With the wound needing healing much smaller, they are able to start physiotherapy very soon after the procedure and the hospital stay is much shorter.

55-year-old Sanjoy (not his original name) developed arthritis of the joints at an early stage and required a hip replacement. However, he believed he was too young to go for a joint replacement and felt the surgery would be painful and his active lifestyle will be compromised.

However, a day after the surgery, he was on his feet. On the third day, he was walking around without any support. A few months after the minimally invasive procedure, he is leading a perfectly normal life. With the diseases hip joint replaced, his mobility restored and quality of life improved.

This procedure is particularly more suitable for younger patients who have more active lifestyles and need greater strength to their joints for a longer period of time. This may cut the need for a revision surgery. It is also good for patients in whom a major surgery can be risky.

Prolonged restricted movements, apart from deteriorating quality of life and productivity, may also lead to other health complications like obesity, diabetes and cardiac ailments. Hence, it is advisable to patients rendered increasingly immobile due to arthritis or other joint diseases to go for a joint replacement.

In the case of knee replacement too, new techniques for opening the knee have improved the quality if surgery in recent years. The latest techniques help protect the crucial tendons and muscles around the knee for better post operative recovery and long term stability of the artificial joint.

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Union Minister Gopinath Munde dies in road accident

Rural Development Minister Gopinath Munde died in a road accident while on his way to the Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi on Tuesday.

According to reports, the accident happened at 6:30 am when a vehicle rammed his Ambassador car from behind near Moti Bagh locality in South Delhi.

A medical bulletin issued shortly after the minister’s demise by AIIMS trauma centre said, “He (Munde) was brought to AIIMS trauma centre at 6:30 am by his personal assistant and driver. His car had been hit by another vehicle at 6:20 am after which he collapsed in the car.”

“There were no major external injuries on his body. There was no BP, no pulse, no cardiac activity when he was brought in. For the next 15 minutes, CPR was administered. But he could be revived, and was declared dead at 7:20 am. Body has been sent for post mortem to know the actual cause of death,” said AIIMS spokesperson Dr Amit Gupta.

Sources said that Munde asked for water from security guard Nair immediately after the accident and then collapsed. Munde, a diabetic, was sitting in the rear seat when the accident took place.

Terming Munde as a great leader, senior BJP leader Nitin Gadkari said that this was a big loss for the Maharashtra leader’s family and the BJP. He said that Munde’s cremation would take place at his village in Latur, Maharashtra.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed shocked over the accident.

“I am extremely saddened and shocked by demise of my friend Gopinath Munde,” he tweeted.

On Tuesday morning, Munde was on his way to Beed for a victory rally,

A former deputy chief minister of Maharashtra, Munde, the OBC face of BJP in the state, had made his entry in the Union cabinet for the first time. Munde, who was the Deputy Leader of Opposition in 15th Lok Sabha, had won this time despite NCP chief Sharad Pawar making the Beed seat a prestige issue.

A five time MLA, Munde’s heart had always been in state politics and harboured the ambition of becoming first BJP chief minister of Maharashtra.

A brother-in-law of slain BJP leader Pramod Mahajan, Munde hailed from a poor family in the backward Marathwada region and was brought into politics by the late BJP leader Vasantrao Bhagwat, who also groomed several other youngsters including Pramod Mahajan.

A general secretary of the party at the national level, he was chairman of the committee on chemicals and fertilisers in last Lok Sabha.

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Self help group to advocate rights of people with spinal injury

Advocating and facilitating the right to rehabilitation of people with spinal cord injuries, a pan-India self-help group was launched here Monday.

An initiative of the Indian Spinal Injuries Centre, the Spinal Foundation intends to address the challenges faced by people with Spinal Cord Injuries (SCI), especially the economically challenged, and those living in rural areas.

“For more than 60 years now, we have witnessed instances of SCI. However, there has been no concerted effort to push for an improved quality of life for persons with SCI at national level,” H.P.S. Ahluwalia, founder and chairman of the Indian Spinal Injuries Centre, said.

“With the help of this foundation we aspire to improve the quality of rehabilitation and guide persons with spinal cord injuries to a healthy life of dignity,” he added.

The foundation will also support and monitor the spread of quality rehabilitation facilities; sensitise and build awareness about SCI and its multi-faceted implications and promote accessibility by removing mental and physical barriers.

The launch also commemorates the birth anniversary of Padma Shri Mary Varghese, who set up India’s first specialised centre for rehabilitation.

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Would consult international experts: Harsh Vardhan

Promising “100 percent” transparent administration, union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan Tuesday said he would take advice from international experts on ways to improve the health system in the country.

“I would hold consultations with domestic and international experts on how to improve the health system in our country,” Harsh Vardhan said after taking charge of the health and family welfare ministry at Nirman Bhavan here.

He said the focus of his work would be on e-governance and corruption-free administration. “My administration would be 100 percent transparent,” he said.

“Health is more important than wealth,” the Bharatiya Janata Party leader from Delhi told reporters.

He said that over the next few days, he would meet ministry officials and plan out his focus areas.

It is the duty of every government to provide proper health care to people, he added.

The minister said his experience as a medical professional would help in handling the health ministry better.

Harsh Vardhan, who is an ENT surgeon by training, was the first health minister of the Delhi government from 1993 to 1998. He won the Lok Sabha election from Chandni Chowk constituency this time.

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Detoxify, sleep well for radiant skin

Hectic work schedules often keep women away from spending any time on nurturing their skin. But it’s easy to do it at home by detoxifying the body and getting proper beauty sleep.

Sun, stress, pollution and dirt leads to several skin concerns like uneven skin tone, blemishes and dull looking skin. However, an expert at cosmetic brand Lakme has shared tips on how one can get the desired flawless and radiant skin in the comfort of your home, said a statement.

* Detox your body: Your body is a result of what is going on inside it. Skin problems develop when your skin can’t do its job of eliminating toxins efficiently. Drink warm water with lemon every morning to help flush toxins from the body. Reduce your intake of alcohol for a few days to give your body and skin a break. Up your intake of fresh fruits, vegetables and water to boost the amount of skin-saving nutrients you’re getting.

* Get some beauty sleep: Sleep affects your physical and mental well-being. When you sleep, you’re allowing your body to begin the healing process. Good sleep directly leads to fresh looking skin. Try and hit the sack earlier than you usually do and you will see the result within no time on your skin.

* Skin serum is in: Gone are the days when serum was only for your hair. Skin serums are the latest trend in skin care. Whoever thought skin serums were only used by experts at the salon, think again. You can now use skin serums even in the comfort of your home with ease. Vitamins in these serums help make your skin even and radiant.

* Strip off your make-up before going to bed: Leaving make-up and dirt on skin doesn’t just clog pores but it also causes skin dullness. Always wipe off your make up and wash your face with a face wash to remove all the dirt and grime that your skin has collected throughout the day. Massage your face with a hydrating creme after you wash your face to help replenish your skin while you sleep.

* Don’t forget to apply sunscreen: We know, you’ve heard it a million times, but stepping out of the house during the day without wearing sunscreen is like directly forcing your skin to dullness. Sunscreen not only prevents your skin from tanning but also keeps it moisturized and hydrated throughout the day. Applying sunscreen everyday helps your skin retrieve its natural moisture.

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Health Benefits of Motherhood

A woman’s body has a great deal to do during pregnancy.

Sometimes the transformation taking place will cause irritation or discomfort, and on occasions they may seem quite frightening.

All of us are aware about the constant exasperating symptoms like fatigue, morning sickness, mood swings, leg cramps that pregnant women face.

However, in spite of the  roller coaster ride, pregnancy brings several advantages to a mother’s health. After the nine months journey, she receives a lot of benefits that are rarely discussed.

The changes that take place during pregnancy enhance a woman’s well being. Childbirth and breastfeeding also provide benefits of its own to the mother.

Dr. Bhavana Mishra, Consultant Gynecologist at Apollo Cradle shares few positive effects of post pregnancy with HealthyDunia.com:

a. Building ImmunityMany women post pregnancy tend to fall sick at a lesser rate. Due to the hormonal changes during pregnancy, it helps a woman develop her immune system.

b. Reducing Cancer risk
Pregnancy can reduce the possibilities of Breast cancer and Ovarian cancer. There are studies which mention that breast feeding for more than three months helps women protect against breast cancer. One of the possible reasons for the decreased risk is due to total number of lifetime menstrual cycles being reduced due to pregnancy.

c. Reduces Menstrual Problems
Once the menstrual cycle start post pregnancy, there are very less chances for her to experience pain. The probable reason behind this reduction in pain is due to the prostaglandin receptor being eliminated in the uterus post pregnancy. Prostaglandin are the hormones that enable the contraction during labor. Due to its elimination, there are fewer menstrual cramps experienced.

d. Adopting Healthy Lifestyles
Pregnancy motivates women to gain healthy habits and avoid consuming unhealthy elements. For instance, many women tend to quit smoking or consuming alcohol during pregnancy and this helps them continue to resist themselves in future. Pregnant women learn to stick to a healthy diet and a regular exercise schedule which helps them maintain themselves. Diabetic patients also learn to manage their diets through this period.

e. Greater receptiveness towards sense of taste and smell
Pregnant women have an increased level of estrogen in the body which creates a natural barrier that keeps her away from perilous elements like alcohol and tobacco. Since the woman’s body is detoxified from nicotine and alcohol, her sensory organs show better receptiveness towards the sensation of taste and smell. Since most women usually continue abstaining from consumption of tobacco and alcohol, her sense organs show better development.

f. Healthy hair and skin
Due to the improvement in blood circulation and the skin retaining moisture during pregnancy, there is a visible radiant glow in her skin. Women often experience less hair loss during pregnancy which leads to growth of a thicker and stronger mane later.

Since she takes care of her health and lifestyle a lot more during pregnancy, she tends to have an increased awareness about the sense of well being. Healthy habits inculcated during pregnancy also help women to emerge as strong, fit and happy women.

Pregnancy helps enhance a woman’s well being physically and mentally. Post pregnancy, women tend to notice a lot of changes in their body that are beneficial.

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Healthy Vacation tips

 

Vacations are supposed to be the ideal time to relax and not worry about incessant phone calls, hectic schedules and the other stresses of the work-week.

While the holiday checklist includes the essentials like sunscreen, camera, medicines, et al, more often than not, the basic necessities are often ignored.

In our holiday excitement, we tend to ignore how we treat our bodies and its need for nourishment.

Keeping oneself hydrated and consuming beverages that are safe and hygienic is as important as getting that photograph clicked.

Nutritionist and Fitness Consultant Venu Adhiya Hirani shares list of foods which can help you in having a healthier vacations with HealthyDunia.com:

Milk
Milk is a complete health drink containing most of the nutrients essential for our well-being. Don’t ignore your daily glass of milk during your holidays. Some may feel that consuming milk while travelling should be avoided as they are unsure of the quality. But with safe and hygienic options available, we can ensure that this wholesome food is not skipped.

UHT (Ultra-High Temperature) treated milk that is available in cartons is 100% preservative free and ensures fresh, high quality milk. This milk does not need to be boiled before consumption and does not need to be refrigerated till the carton is opened. This makes it perfect to carry and store during your travels. All this without compromising on quality or nutrition.

Juices
Refreshing and invigorating fruit and vegetable juices are a sure shot way to get a concentrated boost of energy. Avoid dehydration and maintain high energy levels by consuming these vitamin and mineral cocktails. But don’t cut your vacation short due to illness by avoiding that glass of juice from the friendly roadside vendor. Packaged or carton juices are the most convenient, reliable and hygienic option. Juices in cartons are not only hygienic and nutritional, the packaging ensures that the juice does not come in contact with oxygen, moisture, harmful sunrays or any other contaminant.

The packaging maintains the freshness, nutritional quality and the pure taste of the juice. Moreover they do not contain any preservatives and can be stored at room temperature for up to four months.

Water
To remain hydrated we need enough water each day. Water-borne diseases are a common occurrence, caused due to negligence and poor hygiene. Contaminated drinking water is one of the leading sources of health problems for travellers and can cause anything from mild gastrointestinal distress to serious bacterial diseases. Thus while travelling we must drink bottled water to avoid any kind of ailment.

These simple practices will not only ensure that your health is taken care of, but also give you peace of mind during your vacation. Happy Holidays!

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Hypertension now affecting youngsters, says Indian report

 

Internationally, 17th May is observed as World Hypertension Day.
According to Global Burden of Disease Study, blood pressure tops the list of risk factors for death and disability globally.

In developing nations, around 640 million people suffer from this disease.

Hypertension is common around the world and many people are unaware that they suffer from this modern epidemic. It is considered to be a silent killer because it has no obvious symptoms.

Hence this World Hypertension Day, efforts are being focused so as to improve prevention and control hypertension by creating awareness about the diseases.

Today Indus Health Plus released Healthcare Abnormality Report that revealed hypertension is getting common among the younger generation.

The study was conducted in three major metros of India i.e. – Delhi, Mumbai and Bangalore. It was observed that Bangalore reported highest numbers of hypertension cases (12.8 %) followed by Mumbai (9.40) and Delhi (7.29 %).

In Bangalore it was observed that 1 out of 4 IT professionals are suffering from hypertension. It is alarming that around 31% of IT/ BPO professionals are hypertensive and about 5% have malignant levels of hypertension. 6.9% of females are suffering from hypertension and are considered to be prone to this disease as compared to men. 18% of youngsters between the age group of 20 -25 years and about 23% youngsters in 26 – 30 years reported stage 1 hypertension.

Mumbaikars diagnosed with high BP almost 45% of them are under the risk of stroke and 25 % are at risk of suffering from heart diseases. Male and female in the age bracket of 35 – 50 years have been diagnosed with diabetes and kidney diseases which are increasing hypertension cases. Obesity is also increasing the risk of high BP in Mumbai.

In New Delhi, 16% of ischemic heart diseases, 21% of peripheral vascular disease and 29% of strokes are attributed to hypertension. Youngsters between the age group of 25 – 30 years are falling prey to this disease. Prevalence of hypertension among obese is high. It was observed that those under the radar of high blood pressure also had diabetes mellitus and 35%   of them were under the risk of heart problems.

In the study it was observed that high stress level at office and home are increasing the risk of hypertension. High intake of junk food, no exercise, hectic lifestyle, smoking and alcohol consumption are increasing the risk.

Mr. Amol Naikawadi, Preventive Healthcare Specialist, Indus Health Plus says, “Increasing number of hypertension cases have been observed in younger generation and middle age group. People often tend to ignore symptoms such as headaches and anxiety. While one keeps a watch on such symptoms it is advised to monitor BP quarterly above the age of 35.  Below the age of 35 one should monitor it every 6 months. But if one is already a BP patient then it is mandatory to go for monthly check up.”

“Hypertension if not controlled in time it can cause stroke, heart attack and kidney diseases. Therefore at Indus Health Plus, our focus on this ‘World Hypertension Day’ is to educate people about this disease and inculcate the importance of preventive healthcare practice amongst masses. Timely and regular check-up can reduce the risk of hypertension” Mr. Naikawadi added.

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